Communication Unit Asynchronous Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in detecting and mitigating inter-cell interference, especially when signals are asynchronous, leading to reduced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and data throughput due to the complexity of signal processing required to handle varying propagation delays across large distances.

Innovation Solution

A communication unit with a multi-signal detector that includes synchronization and channel estimation logic modules to align and process both wanted and interfering signals, allowing for joint detection and interference mitigation even in asynchronous scenarios, thereby increasing the SNR and data throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional multi-user detectors are used to handle asynchronous inter-cell interference, then interference mitigation is achieved, but the device complexity and computational burden increase significantly due to the need to account for varying propagation delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference mitigationVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interference mitigation process into distinct stages: channel estimation for each cell, interference signal generation, and joint detection. By dividing the complex asynchronous interference handling into manageable segments, the system reduces computational burden while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary channel estimation and interference signal generation before the actual detection process. By pre-characterizing the interference signals and their channels, the system simplifies the subsequent detection algorithm and reduces real-time computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If advanced multi-signal detection with synchronization logic is implemented, then detection precision improves for asynchronous signals, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal detection precisionVSAvoiddetector structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces synchronization logic and channel estimation modules as intermediary components that bridge the asynchronous signals and the detector. These intermediaries align the signals in time and estimate their channels, enabling precise detection without requiring direct complex asynchronous processing in the main detector.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical/time-domain alignment of asynchronous signals with signal processing techniques including channel estimation and interference signal generation. This substitution allows precision detection through computational methods rather than complex temporal synchronization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the communication unit processes multiple asynchronous interfering signals simultaneously, then interference mitigation effectiveness increases, but the processing time and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference mitigation effectivenessVSAvoidsignal processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing of multiple interfering signals into independent channel estimation stages followed by a unified detection stage. This segmentation allows parallel processing of individual signal characteristics while maintaining efficient overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary channel estimation and interference signal generation for all interfering signals before the joint detection phase. By pre-processing the interfering signals, the system reduces the computational load during actual detection, thereby reducing overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2176958B1Communication unit and method for interference mitigation
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 NVIDIA CORP
  • EP2176958B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2176958B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2176958B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A communication unit comprises a receiver for receiving a composite communication signal that comprises a wanted signal and at least one asynchronously received interfering signal. The receiver comprises detector logic arranged to detect and process the composite communication signal as if the at least one asynchronously received interfering signal was synchronously received with the wanted signal.